If you want to know how to improve fuel economy, the single biggest win costs nothing at all — it's how you drive, worth up to 15% at the pumps. The rest is small stuff that quietly adds up: correct tyre pressures, a lighter car and a well-serviced engine. Here are the tips that actually move the needle, ranked honestly.
The 30-second version
- Smooth, anticipatory driving is the biggest saver — up to 10–15% and completely free.
- Under-inflated tyres waste fuel; a two-minute check keeps you rolling efficiently.
- Dead weight and roof bars cost you — empty the boot and take the box off when it's not needed.
- A well-maintained engine runs leaner, so a skipped service quietly costs you at the pump.
How to improve fuel economy: the tips that actually work
There's a lot of noise about saving fuel, and plenty of it is wishful thinking. The honest truth is that a handful of changes do most of the work, and they're mostly about you and the state of the car — not gadgets or "miracle" additives. Below we've ranked the real savers by rough impact, then busted a few myths.
The habits that matter most
Tap through the three areas that make the real difference — how you drive, the state of the car, and the myths worth ignoring.
Free savings in your right foot
- Anticipate the road. Ease off early and let the car slow itself rather than braking hard — every bit of braking is fuel you've already burned.
- Change up sooner. Short-shifting into a higher gear keeps the revs low, which is where engines sip rather than gulp.
- Go easy on the accelerator. Smooth, gentle inputs beat quick getaways at the lights every time.
- Stick to the limit. Wind resistance climbs sharply above roughly 60mph, so motorway speed makes a real dent in your mpg.
Keep the car in good shape
A car that's looked after simply uses less fuel. Correctly inflated tyres roll more freely, a clean air filter lets the engine breathe, and fresh oil cuts internal friction.
That's why a regular interim service pays for itself in small ways. If your mpg has suddenly dropped, a diagnostic check can pinpoint a faulty sensor or sticking part before it costs you a fortune.
Don't waste money on these
- Fuel-saving "pills" and magnets. There's no solid evidence they do anything — keep your money.
- Premium fuel for economy. Unless your car specifically requires it, standard fuel is fine for most engines.
- Warming the engine on the drive. Modern engines warm fastest by being driven gently, not left idling.
- Running near empty to "save weight". The saving is tiny and you risk being stranded.
Quick win: check your tyre pressures
Under-inflated tyres drag and waste fuel — and wear out faster too. Check them cold, once a month, against the figures on the sticker inside the driver's door. It takes two minutes and it's free at most forecourts.
Roof box eating your mpg?
An empty roof box or set of bars can add serious drag on the motorway. If you're not using them this week, take them off — it's one of the easiest wins there is.
🚗 What's your driving style?
You're already saving ✅
Your driving style is doing the heavy lifting. Squeeze out the last few percent by keeping tyres inflated and the car serviced — a healthy engine turns your good habits into even better mpg.
Room to improve
You'll gain the most from a smoother, more anticipatory style — ease off early and change up sooner. Pair that with correct tyre pressures and a regular service and the savings add up nicely.
Short trips are costing you
Lots of stop-start journeys are hard on fuel and on the car. Combine errands into one longer run where you can, cut needless idling, and make sure the engine is well maintained so it isn't working harder than it needs to.
Biggest savings available 💸
Harder acceleration and late braking burn a lot of extra fuel — easing off could save you 10% or more with no cost at all. A quick service and diagnostic check will make sure the car is helping rather than hindering you.
Small changes, real savings
None of this is dramatic on its own. But stacked together — a lighter foot, properly inflated tyres, no dead weight, and an engine that's serviced on time — the difference over a year of driving is genuinely worth having. For a fuller list of official tips, the Energy Saving Trust has practical, independent advice.
The one thing we'd add from the workshop: don't ignore a sudden drop in mpg. It's often the car's way of telling you something is wrong — a dragging brake, a tired sensor or a clogged filter. Catch it early and it's cheap; leave it and it isn't.
Book errands in one trip
A cold engine is at its thirstiest. Doing the school run, the shop and the post office as one loop — rather than three cold starts — can noticeably cut your weekly fuel use.
Servicing that saves you fuel in St Helens
A well-maintained car is a more efficient one. Our team will keep your engine running lean and flag anything that's quietly costing you at the pump — honest advice, no upsell. RAC & AA approved, Motor Ombudsman accredited.
Frequently asked questions
The three changes that save the most cost nothing: keep the tyres at the correct pressure, take the weight and the roof bars out, and drive with more anticipation so you brake less and coast more. After that come regular servicing, the right oil grade and switching off rather than idling. Together they routinely give ten to fifteen per cent. Start with a service in St Helens or ring 01744 808586.
Under-inflated tyres are one of the biggest hidden costs of running a car, because a soft tyre deforms more and takes extra energy to roll. Being significantly below the recommended pressure measurably increases consumption and wears the tread edges away at the same time. Check them cold every fortnight against the door placard, not the sidewall figure. Free pressure and tread checks are available at our St Helens tyre centre.
Wheels that are not pointing where they should be scrub sideways as the car moves forward, which adds drag and burns fuel as well as tyres. Correcting the geometry removes that drag and pays for itself twice over through longer tyre life. It is worth checking annually and after any pothole hit. Book a free alignment check or read about four wheel alignment.
Hard acceleration followed by late braking is the single most expensive habit, because every burst of fuel you buy ends up as heat in the brake discs. Sitting at high revs in a low gear, speeding on the motorway, idling to warm the car up and using the air conditioning at low speed with the windows down all add up. Smooth anticipation is free. Read our other advice in the garage advice section.
A service restores several small losses at once: a clean air filter lets the engine breathe, fresh oil of the correct grade reduces internal friction, and new spark plugs burn the mixture completely instead of misfiring occasionally. Neglected cars often gain several miles per gallon after a proper service. It also catches a dragging brake before it costs you. Book a full service and see oil change intervals.
An illuminated engine management light very often means the engine is running richer than intended, because most of the faults behind it involve fuelling or air measurement. A failed lambda sensor alone can add a noticeable amount to your weekly spend, and a misfire wastes fuel with every rotation. Getting it read usually pays for itself. See our page on the check engine light and book a diagnostic scan.
Air conditioning adds load to the engine and costs fuel, most noticeably in town at low speed. Above roughly fifty miles an hour the drag from open windows costs more than the compressor does, so the air conditioning is the better choice on a motorway. Using it briefly to cool the cabin then switching to fan is the efficient middle ground. Keep the system healthy with an air conditioning service.
Aerodynamic drag rises sharply with speed, so an empty roof box left on all year is one of the most wasteful things you can do to a car, and even bare bars cost several per cent at motorway speeds. Take them off when you are not using them, which takes minutes. The same applies to weight in the boot. Our pre-journey checklist covers loading for a trip.
Look at the fuel efficiency letter on the tyre label, where A is the most efficient and the difference across the scale is worth real money over the life of a set. Low rolling resistance tyres suit high mileage motorway drivers particularly well. Balance it against wet grip, which is the second letter and matters more in a North West winter. Compare options at our tyre centre or see all season tyres.
Using the exact viscosity your manufacturer specifies makes a measurable difference, because a thicker oil than intended increases internal friction and the engine works harder to turn over, especially from cold. Modern low viscosity oils are designed around the tolerances in the engine. Old, degraded oil has the same effect. Book an oil and filter change in St Helens and we will use the correct grade.
A sticking caliper or a seized handbrake cable holds the pad against the disc constantly, and you are effectively driving with the brakes gently applied all the time. Warning signs are one wheel noticeably hotter than the others after a drive, a smell of hot metal, and a car that slows quickly when you lift off. It also destroys the disc. Book a free brake check if you suspect it.
Economy gains are realistic on diesels where the map improves low-end torque, so you use fewer revs for the same progress, and some owners see a small improvement on a steady cruise. Any benefit disappears the moment the extra power is used, and petrol turbo engines rarely show a saving at all. Weigh it against insurance and warranty first. Read our page on the law around remapping and call 01744 808586.
A sudden drop points at a specific fault rather than driving style: a failing lambda sensor, a misfire, a partly blocked diesel particulate filter, a sticking brake or a leaking injector. Cold weather and short journeys explain a seasonal dip. Track it over a few tanks rather than one. If the drop persists, get the codes read. Book with our diagnostic team on 01744 808586 and read our DPF guidance.